CHRISTIAN LIFE >> HOPE & COMFORT
SDAH 476
Days are filled with sorrow and care,
Hearts are lonely and drear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.
For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary
Written in 1952 by Scottish pastor John M. Moore, this hymn was born from his ministry at the Seaman’s Chapel in Glasgow. While visiting a young merchant seaman in the hospital, Moore shared the message of Christ’s forgiveness and peace, reminding him that the cross is where every burden can be laid down. That encounter so impressed the truth on his own heart that he went home and composed both words and music the same evening. Its message reflects Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28–29—freedom from guilt, fear, and sorrow is found at Calvary. Simple yet powerful, the song continues to assure believers that no matter how heavy the load, Christ is ready to lift it.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
John MacFarlane Moore was born September 1, 1925, in Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. After high school he did a five-year apprenticeship and study in the field of electrical engineering, but at age 15 he had become a dedicated Christian and involved himself in soul-winning work. Study at the Evangelical Baptist Fellowship Bible College prepared him for the ministry. His career includes assistant pastor of the Seaman’s Chapel, Glasgow, Scotland; pastor of the Tent Hall (a D. L. Moody Memorial Evangelistic Center), Glasgow, where he conducted year-round evangelistic work; pastor of Inverness and New Prestwick Baptist churches; leader of the Carrubbers Close Mission, Edinburgh, Scotland; and finally, senior pastor of Willowdale Baptist Church, Toronto, Canada. In 1983 he was elected national president of the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. Self-taught on piano and organ, he has written more than 100 songs and choruses for use in his ministry. Two books of his work have been published, Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary,1962; and New Sacred Songs for the ’80s, John M. Moore Music, Inc., 1981. He was awarded the honorary Doctor of Divinity from Northwest Baptist Theological College, Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1972. In addition to his pastoral duties at Willowdale, he conducts Bible conferences and evangelistic crusades each year.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Days are filled with sorrow and care,
Hearts are lonely and drear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.
Refrain
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Calvary, Calvary,
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.
2
Cast your care on Jesus today,
Leave your worry and fear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
Jesus is very near.
3
Troubled soul, the Saviour can see,
Ev’ry heartache and tear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Matt 11:30 (b) 1 Pet 5:7
Author
John M. Moore (1925-)
Copyright
Copyright 1952. Renewal 1980 by John M. Moore. Assigned to Singspiration (ASCAP), Division of the Zondervan Corporation, All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Metrical Number
8.6.9.6.Ref.
Composer
John M. Moore
